Kirk Cameron's Strong Religious Values: Did it Hurt His Career - Page 5 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

'80sSitcoms · 09-09-2017, 01:56 PM

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Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Haha!

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Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Well, Lisa Whelchel had no problem saying that line, despite her religious convictions.

True, though that bothers me to a degree, but not nearly to the degree of Kirk. I agree with Mindy Cohn when she was discussing the sex episode of FOL, in response to Lisa's refusal to do the story line: "Okay, there's you as a person, but then there's you as an actor." It's your job to do what the scripts call for the characters which the writers have created. What really stuns me is why Lisa didn't appear in the episode opposing premarital sex, which is what the producers offered to do for Blair. She didn't like the message that episode was sending young girls, so you'd think she would welcome the opportunity to decry it and really show, in her beliefs, why it is wrong.

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Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I know Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Julie Anne Haddock, Nancy McKeon, and Julie Piekarski are all Christians. Yet they never publicly denounced the producers for any of the controversial episodes on the show.

Thank goodness! And it made for a largely more relaxed show behind the scenes, as far as this topic is concerned.

RetroGuy2000 · 09-09-2017, 02:16 PM

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Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

True, though that bothers me to a degree, but not nearly to the degree of Kirk. I agree with Mindy Cohn when she was discussing the sex episode of FOL, in response to Lisa's refusal to do the story line: "Okay, there's you as a person, but then there's you as an actor." It's your job to do what the scripts call for the characters which the writers have created. What really stuns me is why Lisa didn't appear in the episode opposing premarital sex, which is what the producers offered to do for Blair. She didn't like the message that episode was sending young girls, so you'd think she would welcome the opportunity to decry it and really show, in her beliefs, why it is wrong.

Maybe she felt like her character wouldn't denounce pre-marital sex. After all, Blair Warner is not the Christian girl Lisa Whelchel was/is, and as early as the first season, Blair Warner was presumably skinny-dipping with boys, etc. I'm not sure Blair would have been concerned with Natalie's sex life; it doesn't seem true to the character. And so I support just not having Blair in that episode. And since all the girls missed at least one episode (and some of them many episodes), it really was no big deal that Lisa didn't appear one time. If she had boycotted the whole season, that would have been a problem.

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Thank goodness! And it made for a largely more relaxed show behind the scenes, as far as this topic is concerned.

Yeah, I know the cast and crew of Growing Pains have stated that Kirk Cameron's proselytizing really hurt the show, them personally, or both.

'80sSitcoms · 09-09-2017, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Maybe she felt like her character wouldn't denounce pre-marital sex. After all, Blair Warner is not the Christian girl Lisa Whelchel was/is, and as early as the first season, Blair Warner was presumably skinny-dipping with boys, etc. I'm not sure Blair would have been concerned with Natalie's sex life; it doesn't seem true to the character. And so I support just not having Blair in that episode. And since all the girls missed at least one episode (and some of them many episodes), it really was no big deal that Lisa didn't appear one time. If she had boycotted the whole season, that would have been a problem.

I can see where you're coming from, but Blair got prissier as the show went on, and had all these dates and boys that seemed so G-rated, lol. Because of that I can see her criticizing Natalie for not waiting until marriage to have sex as being true to her character. Even though Blair wasn't a church goer she just had that air of "a coy beauty, but at arm's length", seeming so sterile in relationships, that I could see her being against sex before marriage. If she was as upset as she was over Cliff taking his shirt off and dancing (to pay his way through school, no less---she rubs me the wrong way as way overreacting there) I can see her just as upset over Natalie if she offered her opinion; maybe she would have walked in on Natalie and Jo's confrontational scene and gotten into the conversation that way; that would have been interesting!

TMC · 07-01-2019, 05:04 PM

Maybe Kirk Cameron would have had a bigger career if he actually wanted one (he doesn’t what to do anything but Evangelical stuff now) and didn’t take himself too seriously, unlike his sister. He won’t even kiss someone that’s not his wife.

andress_jade · 07-07-2019, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Maybe she felt like her character wouldn't denounce pre-marital sex. After all, Blair Warner is not the Christian girl Lisa Whelchel was/is, and as early as the first season, Blair Warner was presumably skinny-dipping with boys, etc. I'm not sure Blair would have been concerned with Natalie's sex life; it doesn't seem true to the character. And so I support just not having Blair in that episode. And since all the girls missed at least one episode (and some of them many episodes), it really was no big deal that Lisa didn't appear one time. If she had boycotted the whole season, that would have been a problem.

Yeah, I know the cast and crew of Growing Pains have stated that Kirk Cameron's proselytizing really hurt the show, them personally, or both.

Yes that's true but during the first reunion movie Kirk had admitted his behavior was wrong and inappropriate, he was a kid and new to his beliefs and didn't completely understand what it was to be a true Christian. He apologized to his castmates about his behavior back then and asked for forgiveness. They forgave him and moved on. I know Kirk took Alan's death really hard and considered him like a second father . Alan was always there to listen and to give advice and be supportive. Alan was such a class act because despite the fact that he didn't agree with everything Kirk believed, he still respected him and admired him. He was happy that Kirk chose a religious, spiritual life and not drugs or alcohol. He was glad that he chose God and to be a good Christian man. If Kirk had to choose anything, he was glad it was that. Is it any wonder why people miss that man so much?

Kirk, Tracey and Jeremy miss Alan so much that they want to reboot the show to honor Alan's memory. I feel Alan's death brought them closer.

RetroGuy2000 · 07-07-2019, 06:21 PM

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Originally Posted by andress_jade

Yes that's true but during the first reunion movie Kirk had admitted his behavior was wrong and inappropriate, he was a kid and new to his beliefs and didn't completely understand what it was to be a true Christian. He apologized to his castmates about his behavior back then and asked for forgiveness. They forgave him and moved on. I know Kirk took Alan's death really hard and considered him like a second father . Alan was always there to listen and to give advice and be supportive. Alan was such a class act because despite the fact that he didn't agree with everything Kirk believed, he still respected him and admired him. He was happy that Kirk chose a religious, spiritual life and not drugs or alcohol. He was glad that he chose God and to be a good Christian man. If Kirk had to choose anything, he was glad it was that. Is it any wonder why people miss that man so much?

Kirk, Tracey and Jeremy miss Alan so much that they want to reboot the show to honor Alan's memory. I feel Alan's death brought them closer.

I would watch a Growing Pains reboot or revival. I loved the show.

But Kirk is a total jerk when it comes to his religion, and I know he hurt many of the people he worked with, because of his religion. I remember his castmates being very hurt when he didn't invite the "sinners" to his wedding. Julie McCullough stated she was fired because of Kirk's demands. Many of Kirk's comments on social media are deplorable. He's not even following the Bible he says he believes in.

andress_jade · 07-07-2019, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I would watch a Growing Pains reboot or revival. I loved the show.

But Kirk is a total jerk when it comes to his religion, and I know he hurt many of the people he worked with, because of his religion. I remember his castmates being very hurt when he didn't invite the "sinners" to his wedding. Julie McCullough stated she was fired because of Kirk's demands. Many of Kirk's comments on social media are deplorable. He's not even following the Bible he says he believes in.

He apologized to them many years later. They forgave him. He didn't get Julie Mc Cullough fired. Let's just agree to disagree.

Schmo · 07-31-2019, 12:25 PM

Even if Kirk Cameron did get Julie McCullough fired, there’s no evidence to suggest that hurt her career. Just speculation of “what might have been”.

TMC · 12-30-2019, 03:33 AM

I can only imagine what the writers' room was like on Growing Pains. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to write good material when people with agendas (such as Kirk Cameron and his sanctimoniousness) like his are breathing down one's neck.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-30-2019, 08:37 AM

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Originally Posted by TMC

I can only imagine what the writers' room was like on Growing Pains. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to write good material when people with agendas (such as Kirk Cameron and his sanctimoniousness) like his are breathing down one's neck.

I could understand not wanting to do certain scenes. But recasting characters because of indiscretions you already knew about?

80s Dude · 01-02-2020, 12:18 AM

Being a total ***** hurt his career.

Edward216 · 01-23-2020, 04:57 AM

Well Kirk Cameron essentially walked away from Hollywood, it was his decision. And if he's happy with how his life is now who is anybody else to say his career has been hurt or a failure? Although I seem to remember seeing a reunion interview of the cast of Growing Pains a few years before Alan Thicke died, and Alan Thicke said he told Kirk Cameron something along the lines of after he became a Christian if he wasn't happy with how things were on Growing Pains he should quit, I'm paraphrasing from memory and that might not be it exactly but I think it's close to it, and I think I agree with Alan Thick that it might've been better for Kirk Cameron to just quit when he wasn't comfortable with the show anymore. But he didn't and it is what it is.

Ed.

Edward216 · 01-23-2020, 05:14 AM

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Originally Posted by Wawwie

Bible thumping, religious weirdo.

The fool has said in his heart there is no God.

Ed.

MIKEPR · 01-29-2020, 07:47 PM

I don't come from a religious background but I sort have come to the conclusion that there's a lot of stuff written in the bible that most people don't take literally and in his case once he turned his life over to God instead of realizing and accepting most of the world and the TV industry didn't follow his ridged ways, he went out of his way to try to convince everyone to follow him and what he believed how people should live their lives and follow God judging by what I've read here.

He probably should have quit the show once his contract was up.

MIKEPR · 03-04-2020, 08:16 PM

Wonder if his sister Candance is as rigid concerning her religious beliefs and Kirk is?

07-01-2019, 05:04 PM	#64
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	Maybe Kirk Cameron would have had a bigger career if he actually wanted one (he doesn’t what to do anything but Evangelical stuff now) and didn’t take himself too seriously, unlike his sister. He won’t even kiss someone that’s not his wife.

07-31-2019, 12:25 PM	#68
Schmo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2013 Posts: 466	Even if Kirk Cameron did get Julie McCullough fired, there’s no evidence to suggest that hurt her career. Just speculation of “what might have been”.

12-30-2019, 03:33 AM	#69
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	I can only imagine what the writers' room was like on Growing Pains. It's difficult, if not downright impossible, to write good material when people with agendas (such as Kirk Cameron and his sanctimoniousness) like his are breathing down one's neck.

01-02-2020, 12:18 AM	#71
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,810	Being a total ***** hurt his career.

01-23-2020, 04:57 AM	#72
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,625	Well Kirk Cameron essentially walked away from Hollywood, it was his decision. And if he's happy with how his life is now who is anybody else to say his career has been hurt or a failure? Although I seem to remember seeing a reunion interview of the cast of Growing Pains a few years before Alan Thicke died, and Alan Thicke said he told Kirk Cameron something along the lines of after he became a Christian if he wasn't happy with how things were on Growing Pains he should quit, I'm paraphrasing from memory and that might not be it exactly but I think it's close to it, and I think I agree with Alan Thick that it might've been better for Kirk Cameron to just quit when he wasn't comfortable with the show anymore. But he didn't and it is what it is. Ed.

01-29-2020, 07:47 PM	#74
MIKEPR Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 29, 2019 Posts: 368	I don't come from a religious background but I sort have come to the conclusion that there's a lot of stuff written in the bible that most people don't take literally and in his case once he turned his life over to God instead of realizing and accepting most of the world and the TV industry didn't follow his ridged ways, he went out of his way to try to convince everyone to follow him and what he believed how people should live their lives and follow God judging by what I've read here. He probably should have quit the show once his contract was up.

03-04-2020, 08:16 PM	#75
MIKEPR Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 29, 2019 Posts: 368	Wonder if his sister Candance is as rigid concerning her religious beliefs and Kirk is?